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Re: Smart Sync Default

Smart Sync is default to online-only but not working

pbuckland
Helpful | Level 6
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Hi all,

 

In my Smart Sync settings, I have the default set to online-only. i.e. new files should be set to online-only.

 

However, whenever someone adds a new folder+files to my shared folder, it selectively syncs to the folder and all files. I thought that it would show in explorer, but only in online-only mode...

 

Thanks!

16 Replies 16

pbuckland
Helpful | Level 6
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Please change this post so that there is not an accepted solution - I think I've figured it out but would like confirmation (the people on this thread appear to understand a lot more than the support person I have been talking to).

 

The setting in preferences about new files being local or online-only when created only applies to new top-level folders. This means that any new sub folders will still always start as local mode and fully download to the HDD. My hope was that this was not the case, but it appears the functionality to have new folders not sync is still not available.

 

A big problem now, is that our users have two different systems to deal with - selective sync and smart sync. It's hard enough to get people to understand how selective sync works, but with smart sync as well, it will be a nightmare. Is there any way to disable Smart Sync for all our users? Or just some users?

 

Here's a reason it's terrible news for us. In my example above, I was synced to a few folders out of about 200 of them. When Smart Sync was introduced, all non-selectively synced folders/files were automatically set to online-only by Dropbox. This means that if I now want to sync to one of those folders, I have to turn selective sync on for that folders AS WELL AS turning the folder to local mode. This is going to cause all sorts of problems for us, and we urgently need to disable it.

 

Please advise.

Sanchez
Dropbox Staff
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Hey @pbuckland

You’re right about new content defaulting to local, even if it’s created in, or added to, a Smart Synced folder. You’re also right about having to turn on Selective Sync, and changing the Smart Sync setting to local, if you want to sync a previously non-Selectively Synced folder. 

Your team admin can set the default Smart Sync action for all team members, as shown here

Now, as far as disabling Smart Sync, that currently isn’t an option. What you can do is to have the default action as Set new files as local, and then use Selective Sync to manage things. 
 
I know this isn’t ideal for you, and I’m letting the team know about your comments and concerns. 

Thanks

Sanchez
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


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pbuckland
Helpful | Level 6
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Hi,

 

Actually, your link suggests that we can in fact disable Smart Sync by opting out of the extension.

 

My only concern, though, is what will happen to online-only folders/files when we opt out? If I have selectively synced to a file, but set it to online-only, when I opt out will that file just become normal selectively synced (so the same as if it was "local" Smart Synced)? Or is it un-selectively synced?

 

Thanks,

Paul

Sanchez
Dropbox Staff
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Hey again, @pbuckland

I’ve reached out to our specialist for clarification on your question, and hope to get you an answer asap. 

Cheers! 

Sanchez
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


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Sanchez
Dropbox Staff
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Hey @pbuckland

In short, when you disable Smart Sync, the Selective Sync settings will apply. 

When Smart Sync is enabled on an account, the default settings apply for new content only, so your existing files/folders are not affected unless the Smart Sync settings are manually changed

Since your users are finding it difficult to manage both features, I understand that you want to disable Smart Sync, and have them only work with Selective Sync. Another way to do this would be to have each user set their preferences to Local for new files, go in and change to local any online-only content that they have manually set on existing content, and then only use the Selective Sync settings to manage things. Alternatively, they could select to sync all folders from the Selective Sync settings, and then use Smart Sync to manage it all. 
 
Cheers

Sanchez
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


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pbuckland
Helpful | Level 6
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Thanks,

 

However that doesn't tell me whether the selectively synced file that are online-only will download once Smart Sync has been disabled.

 

For example, with selective sync on and online-only set, files are there but with no content (empty files). If I disable Smart Sync, I wouldn't be surprised if the empty files then sync to the cloud. Hopefully that's not the case but I wouldn't want to try it without first having reassurance it won't happen.

 

I've also noticed another problem - I've selectively synced to a bunch of folders and set them to online-only. I then un-selectively synced them, expecting them to disappear, but all the empty files are still on my local drive. They aren't syncing, and have no Dropbox icon on the folder icon, but they're still there. This is really concerning.

 

Thanks,

Paul

Sanchez
Dropbox Staff
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Hey again, @pbuckland

Let’s make sure we’re on the same page here with the terminology. When a folder is Selectively Synced, it is syncing to your computer. If you have set this folder to online-only with Smart Sync, then the folder is removed from your computer, and you just see a placeholder

If you now disable Smart Sync, your Selective Sync setting that still exist, will come into play, causing the folder to sync to your computer again
 
As for the last part of your question, what happens if you attempt to open these empty” files? Have you restarted the computer, and they are still there? 
 
Cheers

Sanchez
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


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